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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

A good night and well rested soul could mean one thing; a great day ahead is something I look forward to. A wet and wacky Thursday is coming up. It's drizzling that day but we had to start early. Breakfast is served at the nearest fastfood chain, no other than, McDonalds. That's the only restaurant we found that's open that early.

Monday, March 21, 2016

I took the MTR this time. My first two nights will be spent in Kowloon area, one of the busiest part of Hongkong. Kowloon New Hostel is directly connected to Tsim Sha Tsui MRT Station and East Tsim Sha Tsui MRT Station and offers basic air-conditioned rooms. For backpackers, this is one great place to stay.

I got in to the Hostel past 6 in the evening, exhausted and starving, we found a nearby restaurant that of course serves rice - Cafe de Coral. I got this delish dinner for HK$41 (yeah, food and transportation in Hongkong is not really pocket friendly)

After filling in our growling tummy, it's time to explore Tsim Sha Tsui area at night. We will be strolling the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. Starting from the Space Museum, passing through the clock tower and will end at the Symphony of Lights by the Victoria Harbour.

The Hongkong Space Museum is an egg-shaped building that has become a landmark of the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront. This planetarium is made up of Stanley Ho Space Theathre, The Hall of Space Science, and the Hall of Astronomy. This is closed for renovation though at the time of my visit same with the Avenue of Stars.

Hongkong Space Museum

Just right behind the Hongkong Space Museum, you can find the clock tower which is also under renovation. Standing 44 meters tall, this Clock Tower was erected in 1915 as part of the Kowloon-Canton Railyway Terminus. This red brick and granite tower has been preserved as a Declared Monument.

The Clock Tower

One of the famous free attractions is The Symphony of Lights. A multimedia show involving more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour that make the cityscape dazzle every night.

Tin and I watching the Symphony of Lights

Hailed as the "World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show" by the Guinness World Records, coloured lights, laser beams syncs to music and narrative that celebrates the energy, spirit and diversity of the City. There are five main themes: Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership and the finale, Celebration. The show is free for public enjoyment and no admission ticket is required. Just make to sure to come early and grab a spot near the harbour.

The Pirate Ship spotted!

Cruise Ship Spotted!

After we watched the Symphony of Lights, we stroll around the remaining areas of the promenade and headed to 1881 Heritage. A visit to this place will transport you to Victorian-era Hongkong. This served as a headquarters of Hongkong Marine Police from 1880s to 1996. Several buildings and artifacts of historical interest have been preserved and restored and this site now features a shopping mall, a hotel and an exhibition hall.

Last stop for the night is The Peninsula Hong Kong — or ‘The Pen’ as it is known locally — is a Hong Kong landmark. A witness to the city’s eventful history, the hotel has been serving guests in style since 1928. Afternoon Tea at The Pen has become a Hong Kong institution, and a pleasant way to take in its gilded, columned lobby and glamorous clientele. We haven't got the chance to see its glamour though.

Did you know? The Peninsula’s fleet of Rolls Royce Silver Shadows is mentioned in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. In 2006, 14 long-wheeled base Rolls Royce Phantoms in the hotel’s signature green made the latest update to the fleet and the largest single order placed for Rolls Royce in the company’s history. (Source: Hongkong Tourism)

The Peninsula across the street view :)

It was a jam packed and exhausting day of walking and sightseeing but it was all worth the long walks and aching feet. The night is young but we call it a day to prepare ourselves to more adventures the next day. Goodnight Hongkong!

This place may not be on the radar of every backpacker but certainly one I shouldn't miss in Asia. Hongkong, known as the "Fragrant Harbour" is an autonomous territory and officially Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

It is endlessly fascinating and it is impossible to get bored here. I just realized, there are so much things to do, places to see, food to taste that I wouldn't be able to cover them within a short period of time. I guess it's worth giving it a try.

Good thing, my flight is scheduled to leave early in the morning thus giving me at least one whole day to start exploring as soon as I arrived in Hongkong.

Everything went well as expected, no hassles when I boarded the plane from Clark International Airport. Yes, it's quite distant from where I came but it's also a worry free transfer from Trinoma Lounge. I arrived 3 hours before my flight. Terminal fee is P50 higher in Clark as compared to P550.00 in NAIA.

Hongkong, rock and roll!

Finally, after an hour or so of waiting at the boarding gate, off I go, Hongkong. I got stranded for almost 2 hours at the Hongkong Airport. Not in a bad way though, first, I have to wait for my luggage which is in a different place, I just followed a bunch of people, Filipinos mostly. I just follow where they go, hehe! I have to look for the nearest tourism kiosk to get the maps I needed , load up my MTR card and claimed my iVenture card. It was all in all a smooth airport transactions.

I think I am all set and ready to explore you!

I took an S1 bus going to Tung Chung Station. That's where I can catch the bus going to Ngong Ping Village and the rest of the places I wanted to visit in Lantau. Cable Car is under maintenance, not that lucky. I have 12 Kls backpack so I was forced to leave them at the mall. The city gate mall which is the drop off station of the bus from the airport offers a HK$10 for the first 2 hours and succeeding hours will be charged HK$10 for safekeeping your bags. You will be provided a medium size locker. Not bad.

After roughly an hour of wandering through the zigzag roads leading to Ngong Ping Village, a not so thick fog greeted us. It's not as cold as I thought it is. I hurriedly went through the park and took a pic of the Big Buddha from afar. The tourism officer already gave me a heads up that I may not be able to see it because of the weather but I think I was lucky enough that it showed up at least for few minutes from afar.

Po Lin Monastery made it to the world map when the extraordinary Tian Tan Buddha statue (popular to many as the Big Buddha) was erected in 1993. This majestic bronze Buddha, sitting 34 meters high and facing north to look over the Chinese people draws pilgrims from all over Asia. Sources told that this massive Buddha took 12 years to complete. One has to climb 268 steps for a closer look of this remarkable statue.

The main gate of monastery is located near the circular platform known as Di Tan (Altar of Earth). This mountain gate is made of the rocky stones and there are beautiful carvings it, This gate was originally erected in the front of main shrine hall of the monastery, but placed at the present position after several relocation.

Crossing the mountain gate of the monastery, an area covered by tress and beautiful flowers came to sight. It's called Bauhini Park. This park was mainly built to display Bauhini, the flower of Hong Kong SAR, in memory of Hong Kong's return to China. A paved path of stones in the middle of the park leads to the main entrance of the monastery. Here you can see people burning incense and praying.

Within the vicinity, opposite to the statue is Hongkong's most important Buddhist sanctums and has been dubbed as 'the Buddhist World in the South'. It is home to many devoted monk with colorful manifestations of Buddhists iconography. You can also enlighten your appetite at their popular vegetarian restaurant.

After that hearty meal, I went to the Main Shrine Hall of Buddhas, this place is astonishingly beautiful. As a fan of temples and all that glitters, my eyes feasted here. This hall was built in 1970. The main shrine is beautifully decorated with the flowers, paper art and dragon pictures. It consists of the three statues of Lord Buddha presenting as Past, Present and Future lives. These three statue particularly denote the Buddhas of Three Worlds, Buddha Sakyamuni of our World in the middle, Buddha Bhaisajyaguru (Master of Healing) on the left, and Buddha Amitabha (Buddha of Unlimited Light and Life Spans) on the right.

Behind the main hall is the Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddha. Being built in a design and style combining ancient Buddhist art and contemporary architecture, the Grand Hall houses the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Scripture Library, Dharma Hall, Permanent Ordination Hall, Exhibition Hall for Buddhist relics and artifices, and a multi-function hall

I got tempted to go up the Big Buddha statue but because of the fog, I have decided to take the Fun Walk and Wisdom Path instead. Upon entering the Big Buddha and Monastery, there are signs that will lead you to the Wisdom path.

Simply follow the colorful signs which are leading you the way to a "Tea Garden Restaurant". Walking to the Wisdom Path will take you about 10-15 minutes depending on your speed and how much you are distracted by the surroundings. The walk is nice and gentle and easily manageable for everyone. Since many visitors usually don't know about the Wisdom Path or bother to take their time to discover and explore the path, one nice side effects is that this attraction is not as crowded as the main attraction such as the Big Buddha.

Timber Columns of Wisdom Path

When you reach the wisdom path, you will see thirty-eight timber columns or beams. Each timber column is about 8-10 meters high and has Chinese words carved on it (which I don't understand unfortunately, I just enjoyed the beautiful location) The Chinese characters from a 260-word prayer which are the words of Heart Sutra (in case you wonder: the Heart Sutra is a well-known prayer used by Buddhists)

I just noticed that the thirty eight timber columns of Wisdom path formed the figure eight and you might wonder why the timber columns are arranged this way and not in a line, parallel or even square from. The "official" reason is that the arrangement represents and symbolizes "infinity". Another explanation can be seen that the arrangement of the columns of the Wisdom Path blends into the beauty of the landscape. When you walk along the Wisdom Path, you will notice one timber column at the top which is different from the rest, and this single timber doesn't have any inscription. The reason behind the empty column is that it represents the meaning of emptiness.

Walking just few steps further from the entrance of the Wisdom path, I reached a small viewing platform which provided a very good vantage point and appreciated the arrangement of the timber columns even better.

Continuing the walk from the wisdom path is the fun trail leading to Lantau Peak. Because of the thick fog covering the area, you may not appreciate the overlooking view on top.

Fun Trail - Lantau Peak Entrance

View from the Middle of Lantau Peak Trail

Next stop is Ngong Ping Village, which is covered by thick fog when I went. This village is situated between the last terminal of Ngong Ping Cable Car and the main entrance of Big Buddha premises. It is basically a culturally themed village and has been designed and landscaped to reflect the cultural and spiritual integrity of the Ngong Ping area.

Ngong Ping Village Entrance

The Shops

I think I had enough for the day, I would like to continue going to Tai O Fishing Village but I think the weather is telling me to call it a day here in Lantau Island. A reason for me to go back, hopefully the weather is better and sights will be clearer. Nevertheless, it was an afternoon of great experience as Hongkong's way of welcoming me to the great city.

Off I go, took another bus back to Tung Chung Station. Grab my bag and it's time for me to explore the busier side of Hongkong.